GDT: 2021 NHL Entry Draft - Round 1 - 8:00 P.M. ET

[AfroThunder396]

He had Holtz before the draft to us? Or was it during the draft but just before our pick?

During the draft, he had every pick the second it was locked in to central registry but before it was announced.

 

[Devils Trap]

this has me pumped for tonight

Interesting where he says he an play and is comfortable on both sides

 

[The Wumpus]

 

[Hisch13r]

Probably in the minority here, but I'm hoping Hughes is gone at 4 and we get Guenther. Then Morrow at 29. However, I'd also be happy with Hughes/ L' Heureux

I like Morrow. If I’m going forward at 4 then it’s Eklund or Beniers

 

[Rebel Devil]

I think I would explore trading down a few spots. Seems there isn't much difference between say 4 and 7 or 8 or so. I think you could pick up an asset and still get a similar talent.

 

[Blackjack]

I think I would explore trading down a few spots. Seems there isn't much difference between say 4 and 7 or 8 or so. I think you could pick up an asset and still get a similar talent.

I believe Fitz said he tried to trade down last year and there weren't any takers. It's worth a shot though. I'd absolutely trade down 3-4 slots if there was a decent return.

 

[Nico Hischier]

Usually we pick someone else then the player I want us to draft. This year I want Hughes/L' Heureux so we will see what happens

 

[SJinNewJersey]

Just give me one of these,

if he's gone, then Hughes.

 

[Cheddabombs]

Finally!

I'd be happy with a number of options. Hopefully Clarke or Hughes, but Eklund is also great if those two are gone. And I've even opened up to Edvinsson, not my first choice but I wouldn't mind the pick.

 

[Nocashstyle]

Hughes then Eklund then Guenther then Clarke.

Hoping to see some fireworks as far as trades, but not holding my breath. Every year insiders hint that they expect the draft to have blockbuster trades but it almost never happens.

 

[JimEIV]

Any Defenseman - Two in the first round would make me even happier.

 

[Lou is God]

Interesting comment by Ducks GM Bob Murray:

“We just did a presentation for ownership,” Murray said, referring to Henry and Susan Samueli. “If you look at any of the top teams this season, and back when we were good, the core of their players, 80 percent of them, come from the draft, if not more. This is a big draft for us. Whoever we get (in the first round) has to be capable of playing in our core, in our top-six forwards.”

Draft serves as foundation for Ducks GM Bob Murray’s rebuilding project

Sounds like they're eyeing a forward at #3.

 

[TF1970]

Pronman's final mock draft from this morning: NHL Mock Draft 3.0: What I'm hearing about how the first round will play out

Has it going:

1. Power
2. Bernier
3. Eklund
4. Hughes
5. Edvinsson
6. McTavish
7. Guenther
8. Clarke
9. Johnson
10. Cossa

4. New Jersey: Luke Hughes, LHD, U.S. NTDP-USHL

The boring, predictable pick is what I think will ultimately transpire in New Jersey. Not every team I talk to thinks the Devils will pick Hughes, some think it could be Simon Edvinsson. But most think it will be Hughes.

29. New Jersey: Francesco Pinelli, C, Kitchener-OHL

Pinelli has mixed opinions with some scouts really believing in him as worth a top-25 pick and some hesitant to take him even in the second round. Adding him or Olausson would make a lot of sense for the Devils as they continue to round out a very strong farm system.

Yeah, I would assume if there was a betting line it would be heavily skewed towards one of those two being the pick. I'd be good with that - although I do love the idea of Clarke. Any of those three D would IMO be the best choice, bc it doesn't necessarily mean you are drafting for "current need" given how tight rankings are - but it does fit that as well theoretically. Eklund would prolly be the forward in that spot to take.

 

[Traitor Zach]

Interesting comment by Ducks GM Bob Murray:

“We just did a presentation for ownership,” Murray said, referring to Henry and Susan Samueli. “If you look at any of the top teams this season, and back when we were good, the core of their players, 80 percent of them, come from the draft, if not more. This is a big draft for us. Whoever we get (in the first round) has to be capable of playing in our core, in our top-six forwards.”

Draft serves as foundation for Ducks GM Bob Murray’s rebuilding project

Sounds like they're eyeing a forward at #3.

I think they're going Guenther or Eklund. There's been smoke with Guenther with them for a while. I'm not big on Guenther, and don't think Fitz/Castron's teams are either.

 

[AfroThunder396]

ANA fans seem convinced they're going D but I think a forward makes more sense for them. Eklund, Guenther, or even McTavish are possibilities.

My final guess is that the top-5 goes something like:

1. Power
2. Beniers
3. Guenther
4. Hughes
5. Eklund

I don't think Clarke goes top-5. I get the feeling that teams are more bullish on the forwards in this class than the defensemen.

 

[Traitor Zach]

ANA fans seem convinced they're going D but I think a forward makes more sense for them. Eklund, Guenther, or even McTavish are possibilities.

My final guess is that the top-5 goes something like:

1. Power
2. Beniers
3. Guenther
4. Hughes
5. Eklund

I don't think Clarke goes top-5. I get the feeling that teams are bore bullish on the forwards in this class than the defensemen.

Likewise. I think he's dropping into back of the top 10.

 

[Better Call Sal]

I like the curveball by Pronman about Seattle considering Eklund. It'd be interesting to see things shift if that were the case. You'd think Anaheim would run up to the podium to get Beniers if that happened.

Seems more and more likely Luke will be there barring a last minute surprise. I see no scenario where you can't take him if he's there. If he is taken before our selection, I'm on board with any of the other defensemen remaining.

This should be a fun night!

 

[Lou is God]

ANA fans seem convinced they're going D but I think a forward makes more sense for them. Eklund, Guenther, or even McTavish are possibilities.

My final guess is that the top-5 goes something like:

1. Power
2. Beniers
3. Guenther
4. Hughes
5. Eklund

I don't think Clarke goes top-5. I get the feeling that teams are bore bullish on the forwards in this class than the defensemen.

Just peeking at their draft thread they seem to have warmed greatly to Eklund actually, what's interesting is when that poll was posted last month about who they wanted to select it as Luke Hughes by a mile, now his name rarely pops up in their thread.

 

[JK3]

If we take Luke do you think Jack will announce the pick?

 

[Traitor Zach]

Just peeking at their draft thread they seem to have warmed greatly to Eklund actually, what's interesting is when that poll was posted last month about who they wanted to select it as Luke Hughes by a mile, now his name rarely pops up in their thread.

Their forward corps are in sore need of young talent up and down pipeline. They need top 6 talent now and don't have much in the minors or depth-wise.

 

[Traitor Zach]

If we take Luke do you think Jack will announce the pick?

They should have Carol Niedermayer make the announcement. I feel it would help undo some bad juju vibes from last 15 years or so.

 

[Darkauron]

If we take Luke do you think Jack will announce the pick?

I doubt it. It seems like Jack is at home with his brothers and family for the draft.

 

[LeedsMonster]

I like Morrow. If I’m going forward at 4 then it’s Eklund or Beniers

Both excellent picks as well. I personally think Guenther is the best forward in the draft. I honestly think he's going to be the best player from this draft class when all is said and done. Hes going to be an elite goal scorer and he's a hell of a playmaker too. His 2 way game is promising as well. If I was Buffalo, I'd be taking him at 1.

 

[Eggtimer]

If we take Luke do you think Jack will announce the pick?

That’s what I was thinking . Too bad the draft wasn’t in person . If it was would they bring Jack to the draft to announce the pick ? It would be kinda odd if Luke was still available and Jack goes up to announce “ with the 4th overall pick the NJ Devils are proud to select ….” opens an envelope “ wtf ?! From the Edmonton Oilkings … Ahh frack it you tell them “ mic drop

 

[JimEIV]

This is my Draft Day pump up video